Method and apparatus for the production of cubical packaging units



March 29, 1966 DANIELZlG 3,242,630

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF CUBICAL PACKAGING UNITS Filed Aug. 27, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet l /n vemor KARL HE/NZ DA/V/ELZ/G March 29. 9 K. H. DANIELZIG METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF CUBICAL PACKAGING UNITS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 27, 1962 FIG. 7

KARL HE/NZ DAN/ELZ/G B VWQW March 29, 1966 K. H. DANIELZIG 3,242,630

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF CUBIGAL PACKAGING UNITS Filed Aug. 27, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 42 M van/or m RL /-/E//VZ DAN/ELZ/G A #oma Y5 March 29, 1966 K. H. DANIELZIG METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF CUBICAL PACKAGING UNITS Filed Aug. 27, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 4.

37 FIG. 14

33 l I w I l 1 337 33 i /nvem0r 43 KARL HE/NZ DAN/ELZ/G a; W AM A #01776 ys March 29, 1966 DAN|ELZ|G 3,242,630

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF CUBICAL PACKAGING UNITS Filed Aug. 27, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 lnvanzor KARL HE/NZ DAN/ELZ/G United States Fatent G 3,242,630 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE PRODUC- TION F CUBICAL PACKAGING UNITS Karl Heinz Danielzig, 63 .lahnstrasse, Neuburg (Danube), Germany Filed Aug. 27, 1962, Ser. No. 219,616 Claims priority, application Germany, Aug. 30, 1961, D 36,923 4 Claims. (Cl. 5329) The present invention relates to a cubical packaging unit as well as to a method and an apparatus for its production.

Containers having a rectangular bottom surface are generally formed from cuttings, tubular rolls or smooth webs. Another frequently employed method consists in making packages from flat bags by setting them up and folding them accordingly. This can be done, for example, by pushing a straight block into the bag, whereby two protruding ears remain at the bottom which are then folded over against the bottom surface and welded or glued to the same, However, it is also possible to weld the parts of the ear together prior to folding them over.

It is also known to impart a greater rigidity to folding containers constructed from relatively thin material by continuously forming a reinforcing fold at one edge or over the lateral surfaces, whereby the material of the reinforcing fold can be connected with the respective surface of the container by cementing or hot sealing.

Such known packing machines are operated intermittently, that is to say, the individual packages are conveyed step by step to be subjected to the individual treatment and packing steps. The speed of the total operation must be determined according to how much time the slowest individual step takes. Since in particular the cementing and sealing steps take relatively more time, the continuity of the machine operation has to be adapted to these steps. In order to increase the overall speed it has already been proposed to provide continuously rotating apportioning devices which travel part of their course toget-her with the packages. However, the other process steps, in particular the closing of the packages after filling, take in most cases much more time and since upon using the known fiat bags, and these bags have to be introduced separately into the machine, an intermittent method of operation cannot be dispensed with.

Knowing the advantages of a continuous method of operation and in view of the difficulties arising in the treatment of single fiat bags, it is the object of the present invention to continuously produce, fill and close rectangular packages from an endless series of fiat bags joined together side by side, The shaping, filling and closing of the containers is achieved in a continuous operation, and the separation of the packages is carried out in a last operating step after their filling and closing. Apart from the fact that this method simplifies the machining operations, it also increases considerably the number of pieces produced per unit of time.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved cubical packaging unit.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus which produces the improved packaging 3,242,636 Patented Mar. 29, 1966 units in a continuous operation from an endless band consisting of flat bags attached to each other side by side.

The fiat bags are united side by side to form a web folded like an accordion. Two respective opposite lateral side edges are always connected to each other for forming a flat bag, and the folding edge leading to the next flat bag is so far cut open at both of its ends that the connection to the next bag is secured by a fold having the width of a lateral surface of the cubical package to be produced.

FIGURE 1 of the drawings shows the endless band of flat bags joined together side by side;

FIGURE 2 shows one form of bag according to the present invention after filling;

FIGURE 3 shows the bag of FIGURE 2 partly opened;

FIGURE 4 shows the bag of FIGURE 2 being torn open;

FIGURE 5 is a view like FIGURE 2 but showing another form of bag;

FIGURE 6 is a view like FIGURE 3 but showing the bag of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a view like FIGURE 4 but showing the bag of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 8 shows the left end of the apparatus for the manufacturing, the filling and the closing of the packages made from folding bags joined to each other according to the present invention;

FIGURE 9 shows the right end of the apparatus for the manufacturing, the filling and the closing of the packages made from folding bags joined to each other according to the present invention;

FIGURE 10 is a plan view showing the movement of the lateral flaps that confine the bags during manufacture thereof;

FIGURE 11 is a section taken on line XIXI of FIG- URE 10;

FIGURE 12 is a plan view of the right end of FIG- URE 9 and the conveyor following the right end of FIGURE 9 that receive the filled bags after they are cut off;

FIGURE 13 is a sectional view through one side of the expanding mandrel forming the upper tool with the mandrel shown collapsed;

FIGURE 14 is a view like FIGURE 13 but shows the other side of the mandrel and shows the mandrel expanded;

FIGURE 15 is a schematic side view of the entire installation; and

FIGURE 16 is a schematic plan view of the entire installation.

Describing the invention in greater detail, a magazine 1 containing a row of fiat bags as illustrated in FIGURE 1 is attached to the machine. The flat bags joined together are then pulled out of the open magazine. The control flaps 2 (FIG. 8) together with the pull exerted upon the bags cause the packages to open.

The upper tools 3 are conveyed in a closed path and are caused, during travel along the path, to be lowered down into the opened packages. When in the packages, a cam actuates the tools to distend the packages. The lower tools 4, which also are conveyed in a closed path, are simultaneously directed upwardly toward the packages from below and have portions which enter into the gaps existing between the upper tools. The upper tools 3 are constructed as expanding mandrels. Their function is illustrated in FIGURES 13 and 14.

The expanding process begins after the expanding mandrel 3 has been introduced into the package. The roll 31 engages against the cam 30 and thereby urges downwardly the mandrel 32 with the gliding surfaces 33 (FIG, 14). The jaws 34, of which there are four, are thereby diagonally pressed outwardly until they come to rest against the walls of the lower tool 4. Furthermore, the upper tools are provided with notches 35 at their upper rim. In accordance with said notches 35 the lower tools 4 are provided at their upper rim with protruding edges 40 engaging the notches 35 of the lower tools. The lower tools 4 are furthermore provided with lateral flaps 41 and 42, which close on the sides of the packages and which have lateral edges of which also mesh with the notches 35. The upper rim of the package is thereby folded over horizontally into a bellows-like fold.

The upper and lower tools follow the packages as they move along. As soon as the expanding mandrels 3 are expanded to their full expansion size and the lateral flaps 41 and 42 of the lower tools engage the package, drop bottoms 43 of tools 4 swivel upwardly from the lower tools thus urging the ears which are formed on the packages by the expansion thereof, and which are directed downwardly, upwardly against the bottom of the respective package.

Whereas the lower tools follow the packages until the packaging process is completed, the upper tools are lifted out after the package is completed. This is achieved in that the roll 31 runs off the cam 30 while the mandrel 32 is pulled upwardly by the spring 36, and the expanding parts are pressed together by the annular spring 37 (FIG. 13), whereby the upper tool 3 is reduced to its original cross-section and can be moved upwardly.

The manufactured package remains in the lower tool 4 and is steadily transported further to the filling point 5. The filling station is provided with fol-lower fill-up devices 50 (FIG. 9). The valve is opened as soon as it is positioned above the package. It then follows the package until the predetermined amount is introduced into the package. The filling device is constructed in a suitable manner known per se according to the material to be filled into the package.

The filled packages, which are still positioned in the lower tools 4, then advance further to the closing station 6 (FIG. 9), The closing station 6 consists of several sealing and pressure stamps 60, travelling horizontally above the packages. A web of paper originating from the paper roll 61 runs over the guide roll 62 and is adhered onto the packages by means of the following sealing and pressure stamps 60. In the order to obtain a good sealing it is necessary that the sealing or gluing seam is cooled down under pressure. Depending on the time necessary for the gluing or sealing, the sealing station is so arranged that the sealing stamps 60 follow the packages on a sufficiently long course. A preferred embodiment, for example, provides for the heating from above by means of a radiating device 63 of the sealing and pressure stamps 60. In this way, the stamps 60 are in a hot state while they are pressing the paper web onto the package and cool down while they are following the packages. If desired, the cooling down of the stamps can be accelerated by means of a blower.

After this stage, the packages are filled and well sealed, but they still adhere to each other, even tighter than before, since the stamp used for sealing them was continuously pressed onto them. In the further course of the operation the cutting blades 44 and 45, mounted for movement with the lower tools 4, are actuated by means of a suitable cam whereby the individual packages are cut off. Thereafter, the lateral flaps 41 and 42 of the lower tool 4 open and the lower tools release the packages, ;so that they can be further transported by a conveyor belt 7 (FIG. 12). The lower tools run back on an endless belt via a guide wheel to the starting point of the packaging machine.

The packages manufactured according to the described method can be formed in a special way by providing the pro-manufactured fiat bags with holes which are finally positioned at the ears folded upon the bottom surface. When a package is in its closed condition, said holes are then also closed. However, when the ears are put up and the bottom is swung open, said holes can then be employed gor pouring out the contents of the package (FIGS.

It is furthermore possible to insert into the folded bottom of the original flat bag a ripping cord, as for example a thin plastic string, by means of which the finished package can be ripped open later at its bottom surface (FIGS.

The described packages are suited for being filled with various materials, in particular liquid goods. It is even possible to securely pack oil, if paper provided with plastic layers is used as a packaging material.

It will be understood that this invention is susceptible to further modification and, accordingly, it is desired to comprehend such modifications within this invention as may fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A method for the manufacture of cubical packaging units comprising the steps of forming an endless band consisting of fiat bags attached to each other side by side, opening said fiat bags to form cubical packaging units, the opening of said bags forming ear portions at the bottom of the bags, folding the ear portions formed at the bottom of the bags so as to engage the respective packaging unit, forming a bellows-like folded portion at the open end of each packaging unit, filling each packaging unit, adhering -a continuous band of packaging material on top of the bellows-like folded portions of the packaging units, and separating the individual packaging units from said endless band.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the steps from the step of opening the fiat bags to form cubical packaging units through to the step of separating the individual packaging units from said endless band are carried out in one continuous operation.

3. Apparatus for manufacturing cubical packages from a movable endless band consisting of fiat bags in side by side relation attached to each other in the central region of the adjacent sides thereof, comprising in combination: a magazine for holding said endless band of fiat bags, said magazine having an input and an output side, control flaps at the output side of said magazine, a plurality of rotating upper tools moveable along the path taken by said bags and operable for entering into said partly opened flat bags from above, means for expanding said upper tools to distend said bags, said upper tools having notches at their upper ends, a plurality of lower tools also moveable along the path taken by the bags and operable for entering into the gaps formed between two upper tools from below, said lower tools having protruding edges for engaging said notches in said upper tools, lateral flaps pivotally mounted on vertical axes on the sides of said lower tools, said flaps being moveable toward said bags for engaging into said notches in said upper tools, means for moving said endless band of fiat webs and said upper tools and said lower tools in unison and for finally collapsing said upper tools and lifting said upper tools out of said bags, a plurality of rotating fill-up devices moveable along the path taken by the bags and operable for filling said bags after having been distended into cubical shape by said upper tools, a

' closing station, a plurality of sealing and pressure stamps for attaching a continuous band on the open portion of 5 6 said packages, means for placing said sealing and pres- References Cited by the Examiner sure stamps on said packages in heated condition, and UNITED STATES PATENTS cutting blade means for separating sald cubical packages from each omen 2,257,823 10/ 1941 Stokes 5329 4. Apparatus according to claim 3, each of said upper 5 $33 tools further compnsmg a plurahty of circumferentlally 2,977,729 4/1961 Frechtmann et a1 53-29 distributed movable jaws, a central mandrel, a follower roller on the mandrel, and a cam, said roller upon being TRAVIS MCGEHEE Primary Examiner moved by said cam pressing mandrel axially and causing said jaws to move diagonally outwardly, and an annular 10 FRANKLIN GARRETT Exammerspring biasing said jaws inwardly toward said mandrel. D. M. BOCKENEK, S. ABEND, Assistant Examiners. 

1. A METHOD FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF CUBICAL PACKAGING UNITS COMPRISING THE STEPS OF FORMING AN ENDLESS BAND CONSISTING OF FLAT BAGS ATTACHED TO EACH OTHER SIDE BY SIDE, OPENING SAID FLAT BAGS TO FORM CUBICAL PACKAGING UNITS, THE OPENING OF SAID BAGS FORMING EAR PORTIONS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE BAGS, FOLDING THE EAR PORTIONS FORMED TO THE BOTTOM OF THE BAGE SO AS TO ENGAGE THE RESPECTIVE PACKAGING UNIT, FORMING A BELLOWS-LIKE FOLDED PORTION AT THE OPEN END OF EACH PACKAGING UNIT, FILLING EACH PACKAGING UNIT, ADHERING A CONTINUOUS BAND OF PACKAGING MATERIAL ON TOP OF THE BELLOW-LIKE FOLDED PORTIONS OF THE PACKAGING UNITS, AND SEPARATING THE INDIVIDUAL PACKAGING UNITS FROM SAID ENDLESS BAND. 